Dr. Saray Stancic is a Lifestyle Medicine physician and founder of Stancic Health and Wellness. She received her M.D. degree from New Jersey Medical School and is board-certified in Infectious Diseases. Previously, she served as Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Hudson Valley Veterans Administration Hospital in New York. She has authored several research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Her interest in Lifestyle Medicine evolved from her 20 plus year battle with multiple sclerosis. She is currently producing a documentary film, Code Blue: Redefining the Practice of Medicine, featuring the discipline, Lifestyle Medicine and its importance in the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic disease. She seeks to shed light on the lack of nutrition and lifestyle education in medical schools and hopes to garner the attention of academic institutions and catalyze change in the curriculum of medical schools globally.
Location
Ramsey, NJ
What’s your favorite vegetable?
Broccoli
What’s your motto?
I live by Gandhi’s brilliant words — “Be the change you wish to wish to see in the world.”
What’s your favorite book?
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
What’s your favorite exercise?
Hiking
What’s your favorite way to center?
Deep breathing exercises, meditation
Saray’s Daily Routine:
- 6AM — Wake up, meditate
- 615AM – 2-3 mile run/walk
- 7AM – Shower
- 715AM – Breakfast, ideally oatmeal with added ground flax seed, cinnamon and few walnuts always accompanied by bowl of mixed berries
- 745AM – Bike to work (easy 2 mile ride!)
- 8AM – See patients
- 12PM – Lunch, always a big colorful salad chock full of legumes and veggies!
- 1PM – More patient care or teaching and meeting with my extraordinary medical students…
- 5PM – Head home for family time, homework with kids then preparing a plant based meal for my family. Some of our favorite meals include, chana masala, black bean burgers, Mushroom and Zucchini pasta, veggie 4 bean chili! We always start all dinners with a big green salad.
- 7PM – Evenings usually include a walk in our neighborhood with my family. 🙂 I do 50 pushups everyday, sprinkle them in throughout my day.
- 930PM – Bedtime
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I never set an alarm, I wake up every morning at 5:45 am to start my day.
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
Breakfast! I never ever miss it… It’s also quiet personal time for me, before kids and husband are up. I quietly plan my positive expectations for the day.
What about your daily routine do you think is unique or special?
Every morning, I spend a few minutes being grateful for my many blessings.
What is your favorite part about living a healthy lifestyle?
I am living a full and active life despite a being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 22 years ago.
Whose “O”, or day plan, would you most love to see?
Oddly enough Clara Barton, American Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross ( its a long story..lol).
Describe your sleep ritual. What time do you go to bed? Do you do anything special to prepare?
I go to bed at 9:30 pm and awaken at 5:45 am. I keep a very dark room, cool temperature, quiet. no TV, computers, iPhones or devices in my bedroom.
What is your #1 wellness habit?
Plant-based diet!
What’s your biggest wellness challenge? How do you address it?
I love being outdoors, running, walking and hiking… Living in the northeast means several months of cold weather and snow (ice), this can be tough as it can slow me down. I plan getaways to warmer climates during the winter months, and will use a treadmill or walk indoors like at a mall.
What is the best piece of health advice you’ve ever received?
Your genes play a minor role, lifestyle matters most!
If you could give one piece of health advice to your future kids, what would it be and why?
EAT PLANTS!
Dr. Saray Stancic is a Lifestyle Medicine Physician and Movie Producer. For more tips from Saray, check out her website Stancic Health and Wellness, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To learn more about the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, check out their website here.